wow... ok I was half way internally dissapointed that the blog lacked much info on the game... For those who got it but haven't read the book, the end has quite a bit of info on the PFO game, I'm pretty sure several of the screenshots are new. I'm still skimming over the game info etc... some of it is things that were covered by the blog, but some may be new. I've only skimmed it so far, but I'm pretty sure some of it might not be old.

Question for GW/Paizo people here, how much of this can we share or mention here? I mean, the squad is supposed to be on the inside track etc... so obviously what we can share is limited, can someone give guidelines for what is OK or not OK to talk about here, IE numerous quotes from Ryan and Lee make me want to jump for joy and shout how happy I am to read statements from people who get what I've been looking for in an MMO, but it clearly was put in a goblin squad reward and not public... so

wow... ok I was half way internally dissapointed that the blog lacked much info on the game... For those who got it but haven't read the book, the end has quite a bit of info on the PFO game, I'm pretty sure several of the screenshots are new. I'm still skimming over the game info etc... some of it is things that were covered by the blog, but some may be new. I've only skimmed it so far, but I'm pretty sure some of it might not be old.

Great catch Onishi.

What a high quality product! I fully plan to use this as a DM--really like the content, love the artwork. I LOVE the old school rumors tables in Forest Stronghold section.

Still digesting the PFO information section, but very pleased by what I've read so far. This really increases my confidence in the project.

How true to final product are the renders? They look almost exactly like what I expect from expensive prerendered images, and nothing like I've ever seen done at 60 FPS on a consumer-grade system. I don't think I'm that far behind on what graphics should look like, and I think that pushing the limits of graphics quality isn't a goal of the project.

Any plans to polish up the alpha and bring it out to conventions to try to drum up interest in the video game community? PAX East seems well-timed, at the end of March. It would give everyone who can make it a reason to wear our goblin squad T-shirts and otherwise show off the physical spiffs.

My first exposure to a Paizo product. Quality took my by surprise, I was expecting a b&w pdf! What's noticeable is the paizo imagery seems to have a lot of identity/coherence, which I think makes a massive difference for any world-building. My first impression is the mystery of the description of Golarion and the adventure comes across: Just as important as the canvas is the frame quote-unquote G.K. Chesterton.

Also Lee, this particular quote made me thrilled to see that someone else has the same opinion of the current MMO market that I do, I think he's summed up why I haven't been able to get into an MMO in years perfectly.

Lee Hammock wrote:

"On a basic level, I believe the core of Western MMO design is currently moving the wrong way: toward more single-player-styled games that focus less on the social interactions that make

MMOs really unique. Sure, you get somewhat social end-game raids in many games, but only after you’ve played the rest of the game. Before that, social interaction is something that happens by accident, or if you want a really good piece of gear in some particularly dangerous dungeon. You enjoy social interaction in some guilds, but the level of interaction is limited by level, gear, and other factors that divide players from participating in the same activities. All these barriers between players make it harder just to have fun together, or to have any social interaction greater than communicating over guild chat"

Also I do find it interesting on the topic of thornkeep itself. If I am understanding correctly, it's essentially going to be a low-sec starting zone, for those wishing to essentially jump right into the fray.

My question related to this, is what is the design to prevent this from turning into a paradise for mid level griefers from attacking newborn lowbies who are still learning to crawl?

I noticed that too Onishi. My single biggest disappointment in MMOs is that playing time separated me from my friends in game, so that social interaction became a chore, a loss for some members. I don't want me/my friends to have to decide to give up playing time/fun to get together.